Container

ABSTRACT

Platform-type container that has different configurations and is adaptable during the stages of loading objects into said container, transporting said objects and returning and/or storing said empty container.

The invention relates in general to a platform-type container. Inparticular, it relates to a platform-type container that is adjustableduring the stages of loading objects, transporting said objects and ofreturning and/or storing said empty container.

Platform-type containers, commonly referred to as flat containers, areoften fitted for heavy freight loads that require them to be loaded viathe top or through the sides of the container.

Existing containers of whatever type are of standard size and theirproduction is subject to international standards. Their shape, externaldimensions, the maximum mass that they can carry and the handling gripsare precisely defined in order to render the container as multimodal aspossible while providing maximum volume. It has to be able to goeverywhere, be transportable equally by road, train or ship. Therefore,it must be integrated into the loading gauges for road, rail or sea. Inparticular, two standard container lengths have been defined: 20 feet(6.06 m) and 40 feet (12.19 m).

Unfortunately, standardised flat containers including platform-typecontainers are not suited to the transport of certain objects of a sizethat only slightly exceeds the internal dimensions of said containers.Thus, for example, if one considers the transport of glass sheets oflarge dimensions, most frequently 6 m×3.21 m, the standard 20 feet (6.06m) container is not suitable because its minimum internal length, ameasurement commonly specified for all types of container, is less than5.8 m. Thus, even if its external length is more than 6 m, glass sheetscannot be loaded into the container, either via the top or through oneof its sides. The standard 40 feet (12.19 m) container is much too largefor the transport of such glass sheets.

The prior art shows that there exist platform-type containers that arereferred to as “foldable”, or in other words that can be folded whenthey are empty. These foldable containers then have an economicaladvantage since, when folded, they have a minimum volume for theirreturn and/or storage. Moreover, they are mostly stackable once folded.

The object of the present invention aims to benefit from the economicaladvantage of the already known foldable container while avoiding theabove-mentioned disadvantages of standardisation of this type ofcontainer for the transport of objects of a size that only slightlyexceeds the internal dimensions of said container. On this basis, thepresent invention provides a container that has several configurationsthat allow it to be adjustable

-   -   (i) for loading objects of a size that slightly exceeds the        minimum internal length of said container,    -   (ii) for transport because of its shape and/or dimensions and        its handling grips that are identical to those of standard        containers,    -   (iii) for return and/or economical storage of the empty        container.

Therefore, the container according to the present invention differs fromcontainers known in the art on the basis that it enables a particularconfiguration to be adopted for loading objects of a size that exceedsthe internal dimensions of said container in its configuration adaptedto the transport of said objects.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a containeras described in claim 1.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method forloading flat glass sheet as described in claim 9.

According to a third aspect, the present invention also relates to theuse of a container according to the invention for the transport of flatglass sheets as described in claim 11.

Particular embodiments of the invention are described in dependentclaims.

Other features of the container according to the present invention willbe outlined in the following description with reference to the attacheddrawings (not to scale), in which

FIG. 1 is a view in vertical section of the longest side of thecontainer in so-called transport configuration.

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section of the shortest side of thecontainer in so-called transport configuration.

FIG. 3 is a similar view to FIG. 1 with the container in a configurationadapted to loading an object with a length greater than the minimuminternal length of said container when it is in a configuration adaptedto transport.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the container folded up.

According to the invention, the container is a platform-type container.With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container is formed from

(i) a dimensionally stable rectangular base intended to receive theobjects to be transported, referred to as loading platform (1), which isitself formed from a rigid and dimensionally stable frame (2) enclosinga floor (3) fixed to said floor (2),

(ii) 4 articulated angle posts (5), each at one of the corners of theplatform (1), and

(iii) 2 opposing rigid rectangular partitions (6) fixing the 4 angleposts (5) in pairs in the width of the platform (1) in order to form twoside walls.

According to the invention, the loading platform (1) is formed from arectangular frame (2) enclosing a floor (3). This frame according to theinvention comprises two beams that form the two longest sides of theframe and two rectangular panels, each forming one of the two smallestsides of the frame. The two rectangular panels according to theinvention preferably have a thickness of a minimum of 4 mm and 8 mm atmaximum. The two rectangular panels according to the invention arepreferably made of steel.

According to the invention, the angle posts (5) are cuboidal andarticulated thanks to the fixture of their base to a linkage system (4)pivoting in a plane parallel to the longest sides of the frame (2). Thelinkage systems (4) are respectively arranged at each of the 4 cornersof the frame (2) and are fixed thereto. The angle posts (5) are fixed inpairs in the width of the platform by a rigid rectangular partition (6).According to the invention, no partition connects the angle posts on theside faces located on the longest sides of the container. Because ofthis, each of the partitions forming a side wall cause the two linkagesystems (4) to which it is fixed to pivot in identical manner.

According to the invention, the height of the angle posts (5) must beless than half the length of the loading platform (1).

The container according to the invention can be characterised by openingangles. Opening angle is understood to mean the angle defined by any ofthe two side walls with the floor (3). The container according to theinvention is thus characterised by two opening angles.

The container of the invention has traditional locking means for the twoopening angles that, independently of one another, can only have twovalues equal to 0° and 90° respectively. The term traditional lockingmeans relates to the locking of a foldable container that is alreadywell known in the transport sector.

According to the invention, the container also has additional lockingmeans for at least one of the two opening angles at a value greater than90° and at maximum equal to 180°. The opening angle preferably reaches avalue equal to 120° at maximum.

According to the invention, the two opening angles of the container canbe locked at an identical or different angle value by means of theadditional locking means.

The traditional locking means according to the invention that enablelocking of the opening angles at a value of 0° or 90° can be differentfrom or identical to the additional means that enable locking of theopening angle at a value greater than 90°. The traditional locking meansare preferably identical to the additional locking means.

The pivoting linkage systems (4) according to the invention that arearranged at each of the 4 corners of the frame (2) and are fixed theretocan be of several types. For example, as illustrated in the figures, alinkage system according to the invention can be formed:

(i) from a first rectangular and rigid panel secured to the outside faceof one of the longest sides of the frame (2) and to the outside face ofone of the angle posts (5),

(ii) from a second rectangular and rigid panel secured parallel to thefirst plane member on the inside face of the same longest side of theframe (2) and to the inside face of the same angle post (5), and

(iii) from an articulation means (8) integral to said system (4),wherein this articulation means (8) can be formed, for example, by apivoting axis passing through the angle post in parallel to thepartition (6) and fixed to each panel, or from two rivets, which aresecured to each of the panels and on which said angle post is mounted topivot.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the locking means form partof the pivoting linkage systems (4). In this embodiment, the lockingmeans are preferably of the rotary lock type, also commonly called twistlock, currently used in the handling and stowage of standard containerson the means of transport.

The container according to the invention can adopt a plurality ofconfigurations depending on the values of the opening angles locked bythe locking means of said container. In particular, the containeraccording to the invention can be locked in at least 6 configurations:

-   -   a) when the two opening angles are equal to 90°,    -   b) when the two opening angles are equal to 0°,    -   c) when one opening angle is equal to 90° and the other is equal        to 0°,    -   d) when one opening angle is greater than 90° and the other is        equal to 90°,    -   e) when one opening angle is greater than 90° and the other is        equal to 0°,    -   f) when the two opening angles are greater than 90°.

According to an embodiment of the invention, some of theseconfigurations are specially adapted to the different steps necessaryfor the transport of objects by container, i.e.

-   -   a) loading of the objects into the container,    -   b) transport therein,    -   c) return and/or storage of the empty container.

According to the invention, when the two opening angles are equal to90°, the container is in a configuration referred to as “open transportconfiguration”. This configuration shown schematically in FIG. 1effectively gives the container a standard cuboidal form adapted to thetransport of said container.

According to the invention, when at least one opening angle is greaterthan 90° and the other opening angle is equal to or greater than 90°,the container is in a configuration referred to as “open loadingconfiguration”. This configuration shown in FIG. 3 in fact allows anobject, whose largest dimension is slightly larger than the minimuminternal length and smaller than the maximum internal length of thecontainer in the open transport configuration, to pass into the interiorof the container.

Minimum internal length is understood to mean the shortest distancebetween the two upper corner elements located on the same longest sideof said container in the open transport configuration. Maximum internallength is understood to mean the distance between the two opposingrectangular partitions (6) of said container in the open transportconfiguration.

The container according to the invention can also be used to transportobjects having dimensions that are smaller than the minimum internaldimensions of said container. In this case, the open loadingconfiguration is not used and the objects are loaded into the containervia the top or at one of its longest sides when it is in the opentransport configuration.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the open loadingconfiguration is obtained when only one opening angle is greater than90°.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the open loadingconfiguration is obtained when both opening angles are greater than 90°.In this latter embodiment, the opening angles can be identical ordifferent.

According to the invention, when the two opening angles are equal to 0°,the container is folded up or is in a configuration referred to as“closed (transport) configuration”. This configuration shownschematically in FIG. 4 occupies a minimum volume and allows returnand/or economical storage of the empty container.

The pivoting linkage systems (4) according to the invention allow thecontainer to change from one locked configuration to another. Inparticular, it can change from an open loading configuration to an opentransport configuration once loaded. When it is emptied of its load, itcan be locked in closed configuration for its return or storage, thenpositioned once again in one open locked configuration or the other fora subsequent use.

The rectangular rigid partitions (6) of the container according to theinvention preferably have a thickness of a minimum of 4 mm and 8 mm atmaximum. The rectangular rigid partitions are preferably made of steel.

The rectangular rigid partitions (6) according to the inventionpreferably have a maximum height equal to the height of the angle posts(5).

The container according to the present invention has a maximum number of8 corner elements (7), also commonly referred to as corner fittings,fixed to each of the 4 corners of the frame (2) and at the end of eachof the 4 angle posts (5) opposite their base. These corner fittings (7)enable handling and stowage of the container when it is locked in theopen transport configuration.

The corner fittings (7) according to the invention are standardised,i.e. are identical to those of standard containers. Their dimensions andtheir horizontal and vertical spacing are defined most precisely bystandard ISO 668, since they are not only used for handling byspecialised trucks, but also, and above all, for stowing containers onthe decks of ships, on lorries or rail wagons.

Moreover, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, thecontainer can be stacked in the open transport configuration. Itsexternal height must therefore be adapted to the size of the object tobe transported, or in other words it must be at least slightly more thanthe height of said object.

In addition, according to the invention, the height from the base of anangle post (5) to the top of the corner fitting secured to said anglepost (5) must be less than half the length of the loading platform (1)in order to permit the closed configuration, or in other words to permitan opening angle equal to 0° to be obtained.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the container hasthe height of a standard container when it is in the open transportconfiguration.

According to an additional second embodiment of the invention, when itis in the open transport configuration, the container has a height thatis greater than the height of a standard container, but equal to or lessthan half the length of the platform (1).

According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the containerhas a height that is less than the height of a standard container whenit is in the open transport configuration.

The angle posts (5) according to the invention can each have a handlinggrip (9). These handling grips (9) are preferably located on theupwardly directed face of each of the angle posts when the two openingangles are equal to 0°. These handling grips thus allow the container tobe gripped by the top when it is locked in the closed configuration.

According to the invention, when it is locked in the closedconfiguration, the container occupies a volume that is at leastfour-times smaller than the volume of the same container when locked inthe open transport configuration. This embodiment of the inventionenables return and/or economical storage of the empty container, asalready mentioned above.

Moreover, when locked in the closed configuration, the containeraccording to the invention can be stacked for transport and/or storage.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the container has hookingmeans for a tarpaulin for protection of its load. According to thisembodiment, these hooking means for the tarpaulin correspond to (a) abar secured transversely to the upper end of each of the two rectangularpartitions (6) and/or (b) four bars respectively secured to each of theangle posts (5) and/or (c) at least two bars respectively secured alongeach of the longest sides of the frame (2).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the platform (1) of thecontainer has the length and the width of that of a standard container.When it is in the open transport configuration, the container accordingto the invention thus provides an arrangement that benefits from theadvantages of standardisation for transport by virtue of its dimensions,its cuboidal shape and its handling grips that are identical to those ofthe known standard containers.

In addition, in this latter embodiment of the invention, the floor (3)of the loading platform (1) of the container can have structures (10)that enable said container to be transported on a cellular-typecontainer ship. This is one of the most commonly used types of ship forcontainer transport by sea.

The container preferably has a minimum internal length that is less thanor equal to 6 metres in the open transport configuration. In particular,a standard 20 feet container in fact has a minimum internal length of5.70 m although it has a maximum internal length of more than 6 m.

In an embodiment of the invention, when the container in the opentransport configuration has the length of a standard 20 feet container,the fact that at least one opening angle is locked at a value greaterthan 90° (open loading configuration) allows the minimum internal lengthof said container to be increased beyond 5.70 m. In particular, when thecontainer in the open transport configuration has the length of astandard 20 feet container (external length: 6.06 m, minimum internallength: 5.70 m), the open loading configuration allows a minimuminternal length of more than 6.02 metres to be obtained.

The present invention also provides a method for loading objects into acontainer according to the invention.

The objects loaded using the method according to the invention have alarger dimension or a length that is slightly greater than the minimuminternal length of the container in the open transport configuration.

The objects loaded using the method according to the invention arepreferably elongated in shape.

In particular, the loading method according to the invention comprisesthe following consecutive steps:

(i) locking one of the opening angles of the container at a valuegreater than 90° using the additional locking means;

(ii) locking the other opening angle at 90° using the traditionallocking means or at a value greater than 90° using the additionallocking means;

(iii) inserting said objects via the top of the container;

(iv) placing the objects on the loading platform and possibly securingthem;

(v) locking the container at two opening angles equal to 90° using thetraditional locking means.

The insertion and placement of elongated objects in the container ispreferably conducted so that the length of said objects is parallel tothe length of the platform (1). In particular, this arrangement isnecessary when the length of the objects is larger than the width of thecontainer.

The insertion of the objects into the container is conducted via the topof the container. The insertion of the objects into the container ispreferably conducted vertically via the top. The insertion can also beconducted simultaneously sideways and via the top.

Using the method of the invention, once the consecutive steps (i) to (v)have been performed, the loaded container can be handled, stowed,stacked, stored . . . . It can also be covered by a tarpaulin to protectits load.

According to an embodiment of the invention, when the container has aminimum internal length of less than 6 metres and a maximum internallength of more than 6 metres in the open transport configuration, themethod allows elongated objects with a length of less than or equal to 6metres to be loaded into the container.

In particular, the method allows flat glass sheets with a length of lessthan or equal to 6 metres to be loaded.

In another embodiment of the invention, the tarpaulin possibly used toprotect the load of the container can be housed in the space leftbetween the floor (3) and the side walls when the container is in theclosed configuration. The tarpaulin can thus be easily brought to thestarting point of the loaded container.

The invention also relates to the use of a container according to theinvention for the transport of flat glass sheets with a length of lessthan or equal to 6 m.

The use of the container according to the invention also provides forthe use of a trestle for transporting flat glass sheets. The trestle isthe support commonly used for the transport of flat glass sheets ingeneral. For transporting flat glass sheets of larger dimension (3.21m×6 m), the trestle is preferably made of metal.

In particular, the invention provides for the use of a standard trestlethat is modified. A first modification of the standard trestle relatesto it being rendered dismountable so that it can be housed in the spaceleft between the floor (3) and the side walls when the container is inthe closed configuration. The trestle can thus be easily brought to thestarting point of the container and then re-assembled so that it can bereused for a subsequent load. The tarpaulin possibly used to protect theload of the container during transport can be housed there at the sametime as the trestle. A second modification of the standard trestleprovided by the invention relates to the distance between the internalfeet of said trestle being increased 5 to 10% without increasing thetotal length of the trestle. The thus modified trestle can then beplaced, and possibly secured, directly on the floor (3) avoiding thestructures (10) that enable the transport of the container in a cellulartype ship with cell guides. This modification enables the increase inheight of the container according to the invention, in relation to thestandard height, necessary for stacking said container containing flatglass sheets of large dimensions to be reduced.

1. A container comprising (i) a loading platform formed from a rigidrectangular and dimensionally stable frame enclosing a floor and fixedto said floor, (ii) four linkage systems pivoting in a plane parallel tothe longest sides of the frame respectively arranged at each of the fourcorners of the frame and fixed thereto, (iii) four articulated angleposts respectively fixed to each of the linkage systems at their base,(iv) two opposing rigid rectangular partitions fixing the four angleposts in pairs in the width of the platform in order to form two sidewalls, wherein each of the two side walls causes the two linkage systemsto which it is fixed to pivot in identical manner, (v) a first lock forthe two opening angles defined by each of the side walls with the floorat two values independent of one another equal to 0° and 90°,characterised in that it is fitted with a second lock for at least oneof the two opening angles at a value greater than 90° and at maximumequal to 180°.
 2. The container according to claim 1, further comprisesa standardized corner fitting at each of the four corners of the frameand at the end of each of the four angle posts opposite their base. 3.The container according to claim 1, wherein the angle posts each have ahandling grip.
 4. The container according to claim 1, further comprisinga hook for a tarpaulin.
 5. The container according to claim 1, whereinits platform has the length and width of that of a standard container.6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the platform has astructure that allows said container to be transported on acellular-type container ship.
 7. The container according to claim 1,wherein the two opening angles are equal to 90°, and the container hasthe height of a standard container.
 8. The container according to claim1, wherein the two opening angles are equal to 90°, and that thecontainer has a height greater than the height of a standard container.9. A method for loading objects into a container according to claim 1,wherein the length of said objects is slightly greater than the minimuminternal length of the container, comprising: (i) locking one of theopening angles of the container at a value greater than 90° using thesecond lock; (ii) locking the other opening angle at 90° using the firstlock or at a value greater than 90° using the second lock; (iii)inserting said objects via the top of the container; (iv) placing theobjects on the loading platform and possibly securing them; (v) lockingthe container at two opening angles equal to 90° using the first lockand/or the second lock.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein theobjects are flat glass sheets with a length of less than or equal to sixmeters.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A method of transporting glass comprisingtransporting flat glass sheets with a length of less than or equal tosix meters in the container according to claim 1.